Item 0986
OTHER:
Helicopter - Inside - Intermeshing - Dragonfly - Principal Assembly 
Overview:
The drive train, rotor hubs and flight controls are one compact and completely assembled unit. This 'single package' is conceptually similar to the Flettner drive train, rotor hubs and flight controls.
Blades to be composite VR-7.
The fuselage, tail and supports could be the SynchroLite, or be by others.
The engine and soft-start by others
Alternate Rotor for Dragonfly; OTHER: Rotor Concept - Constant Velocity Teetering Rotor
Picture of Mockup:
Drawing:
Bill of Material 0986 ~ Principal Assembly only ~~~~ Try to keep under 135 lbs.
Notes:
For initial overview regarding certification etc. see the magazine EAA Sport Aviation, Dec 2002, article 'Continuing Airworthiness' on page 57.
Having a strong power train and mast will allow for the offset teetering rotor.
Primary Concerns:
The 3-blade per rotor version will not be able to use (much, if any) opposed longitudinal cyclic for directional control. It will have to use differential collective,
Variable Vertical Fin Concept (VVF), or drag device. See DESIGN: Dragonfly ~ Rotor - Disk - Blade to Blade Clearance
The Principal Assembly (Item 0986) must be light to maximize the remaining amount of the 254 lbs that the builder can put into the fuselage etc.
Possible Safety Exemptions
Low blade tips, particularly at the sides of the craft.
Partial solutions: B196 ~ Personnel on Ground
Certification & Safety:
Consider the possibility of providing the power train and rotors (including blades) as one certified assembly. This assembly would be sealed. In addition, it might contain a device within its sealed enclosure that measures total hours (rotation), maximum RRPM, maximum temperature and perhaps forces.
All repairs must be done at an authorized location.
Any potential purchaser of a used 'principal assemble' would be able to send the unit to an authorized location, where the unit would be opened, inspected and the sensors read. The unit, along with a dated report, would then be returned. Or alternatively, the might be a data port in the unit where a PC can download the data.
The 'principal assemble' would be restricted to being incorporated into craft with a GW of 550 pounds and an engine input of 50 horsepower @ 4500. Should individuals use this 'principal assemble' in a homebuilt helicopter that exceeds the restrictions, then they do so at their own peril.
Considerations for Future:
Consider the addition of a pusher prop a later time. There is no need to change the power-train/rotor/flight-control construction, in configuration and strength, if it is initially designed with the UniCopter configuration. This drive train would probably look like DESIGN: UniCopter ~ Power Train - Assembly - General Arraignment. It will offer a higher speed but it will involve a stronger motor and fuselage. It will then be Experimental, not Ultra-light.
The Dragonfly could be used to develop the UniCopter's concepts. This modified craft would have to be an UAV because the 'payload' will be significantly reduced. It has features of the SynchroLite and the UniCopter.
Same Page ~ Different Craft:
~ ~ Electrotor-Simplex ~ Electrotor-SloMo ~ Electrotor-Plus
Introduction Page | Dragonfly Home Page | SynchroLite Home Page | UniCopter Home Page | Nemesis Home Page
Last Revised: October 21, 2007